Outside the courtyard wound a crooked cobblestone path, flanked by quaint old houses steeped in antiquity.
This area was once a historic residential district. Many homes dated back decades, preserving early-20th-century architecture. Alas, a great fire later consumed most of it. Though renovated and tidied, fewer residents remained.
Shen Bingjing often said she and her sister lived like they were in the middle of nowhere. At night, the streets stood nearly empty—only a few lanterns swayed gently, barely lighting the century-old road.
Thus, “Don’t go out after dark” became their unspoken rule.
The hour was still early. The sky blazed with fiery sunset clouds, vast and breathtaking.
Mo Xuan and Shen Bingjing walked side by side, footsteps crisp against the stone path.
Halfway there, Mo Xuan stole glances at the girl beside him. She stared straight ahead, unusually serious—a sight so jarring it felt like watching a sloth attempt deep thought. To him, bringing two cakes to visit at semester’s start was no big deal.
Yet Shen Bingjing’s expression suggested he’d pulled a stunt as suspicious as a weasel paying New Year’s respects to a chicken.
He waved a hand before her eyes. “Zoned out?”
“What are you doing?” Shen Bingjing shot him a glare, then softened instantly. Biting her plump lip, she asked dejectedly, “What were you and my sister just doing?”
“Nothing!” Mo Xuan’s heart clenched. Cold sweat prickled his neck as he shook his head fast.
“Really?” She narrowed her eyes. “I thought I saw you sneak into a corner… planning something improper?”
“You overestimate me.” He shook his head again. “Even if I wanted to, I’d need your sister’s consent. Do you think she’d ever do anything improper?”
Shen Bingjing fell silent, cheeks flushing awkwardly.
Seeing her, guilt flickered faintly in Mo Xuan’s chest.
Outwardly righteous, inwardly he knew: had Shen Bingjing not called out just then, he couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t have crossed a line.
He also hadn’t expected Shen Bingyao to be so bold—lifting her skirt without warning, voice hushed, leaving no room for protest.
Unbelievable. The gentle, obedient Shen Bingyao had *this* side?
Then again… not so strange. In his past life, without seeing it himself, could he have believed Shen Bingyao masterminded all those conflicts? She was far more complex than she seemed. He barely knew her.
Yun Jiumo? A mystery. Shen Bingyao? Another. Even Tian Sirui next door held hidden layers.
Truly, the only person around him he somewhat understood was Shen Bingjing—the girl beside him, easy to ruffle, easier to soothe.
*So… what did I even do in my past life?*
Mo Xuan sighed. Shen Bingjing blinked, utterly confused.
They halted at the alley mouth. The sun hung low—a half-moon of orange-gold on the horizon.
“Alright, I’ll leave you here. Hurry back. Don’t keep your sister waiting.”
Shen Bingjing didn’t move.
“What? Can’t bear to part?” Only with her did Mo Xuan tease without pause.
She shook her head. Then nodded.
“You’re impossible to read,” he murmured helplessly.
Eyes fixed on her toes, she gathered courage. “Mo Xuan… I… I have something to… ask…”
“Say it. If I can help, I will.” He shifted his backpack.
Shen Bingjing lifted her head. Her thick lashes trembled. Clear eyes shimmered with nervous hope. “Could you… if you have time… visit us more often?”
Mo Xuan went silent. Backlit by sunset, shadows hid his face.
Realizing her request might burden him, she flustered. “Not like that! I mean… once or twice a week… that’s enough…”
“Why?” His voice turned low, calm. “Someone following you?”
She shook her head hard.
“Family trouble? Your sister’s health?”
“Neither!” She nearly squeaked, head ducking, fingers twisting. “It’s… for my sister.”
If it concerned Shen Bingyao, he couldn’t ignore it.
“Go on.” He dropped the smile, gaze steady.
“I want to see my sister smile more.”
Mo Xuan’s brow furrowed—then cleared.
“She rarely smiles at home. Lost in her own world. You saw where we live—no neighbors. She has limited mobility, avoids the internet. When I’m at school… she’s alone.”
Shen Bingjing swallowed, watching his face.
“Honestly, I worry she’ll sink into sadness. But whenever *you* come… she lights up. Smiles more. So…”
She trailed off. Meaning hung in the air.
Regret flickered in her eyes. She bowed her head like a scolded child.
After a beat, Mo Xuan quirked his lips—flashing that familiar mischievous, endearingly goofy grin.
“I thought it was serious! *That’s* it?”
His laughter lifted her chin. She stared, disbelieving.
Arms crossed, he straightened with playful swagger. “Fine. I’ll drop by when free. Homework together—three heads better than one. But I have one condition—”
He leaned in mock-menacingly. She stumbled back.
“I’ll agree to anything!” She clapped a hand over her mouth.
Mo Xuan’s eyes crinkled. He wagged a finger at the flustered girl. “I want you two sisters—”
“—to order me takeout too.”
Silence. Shen Bingjing’s mouth fell open.
“Huh?”
“Forgot to add—it’s on you.”
Frugal Mo Xuan never passed up a free lunch.
“That’s your condition?”
“What, too little? Add iced lemonade then.”
She raised a tiny fist. He dodged with a laugh.
He stepped back, sunset gilding his profile. “Settled. I’ll visit. Go on—your sister’s waiting.”
A breeze lifted his shirt hem. Sunlight caught his bright smile.
Shen Bingjing watched until he vanished down the alley. A wistful pause—then a soft, sweet smile bloomed.
…
Mo Xuan strolled the rest home slowly.
His past-life high school had rushed by, un savored. Reborn, he’d imprint every missed detail into memory.
He wandered a bustling snack street—smoke, shouts, sizzling stalls forming a river of color and scent. Dozens of aromas swirled, teasing his nose.
Before a grilled gluten skewer stall, he hesitated. *Senior year deserves a treat*, he reasoned—and bought three.
“Extra spicy, boss.”
“Coming right up!”
He bit into the steaming skewer. Bliss flooded his face.
Nothing beat snacking while walking home. He dreamed of strolling daily with street food in hand, finishing just as warm dinner awaited inside.
Alas—fantasy.
He tossed the last stick, entered the park. Hands in pockets, he kicked pebbles, humming.
Passing a lawn, his gaze drifted casually—
And froze.
The vast grassy field lay empty, sunset gilding it like a plush golden carpet.
At the edge, birch trees stood lush and quiet. Beneath them, an ordinary swing.
A lone girl sat on it.
Legs swaying gently. Body rocking with the rhythm.
Creak… creak…
